Brief Description: This collection consists of the records of the Bi-Racial/Tri Ethnic committee from 1969-1995 donated by Dr. Gordon Foster who was one of the Chairmen of the committee.  The records reflect the organization's activities relating to the plan for desegregation of Dade County Public Schools (DCPS) and staff, high school, court orders, personnel workshop, attendance zones, court appeals, school closing, busing, parents issues, pairing of schools, new schools, membership, school zoning, records and federal law regulations.  The bulk of the collection is composed of newspaper clippings, minutes, correspondence, reports, court orders, court appeals, personnel studies and construction plans.  The collection does not contain financial documentation.

Record Series Number: 01/BAF MS_00096

Created by: Dade County Public School Bi-Racial/Tri-Ethnic Committee (circa 1969-1995)

Volume: 2.75 Linear Feet

Arrangement: Original order was maintained within folders and original folder titles were kept.  Folders were rearranged so that numerical titles are in chronological order and subject titles are in alphabetical order.

Biographical Note for Dade County Public School Bi-Racial/Tri-Ethnic Committee (circa 1969-1995) : The Bi-Racial/Tri-Ethnic Committee may originally have been called the Bi-Racial Committee and was referred to as the "Bi-Tri".  The Bi-Racial/Tri-Ethnic committee's role was to plan for desegregation of the Dade County Public School (now called Miami Dade Public Schools) facilities and professional staff to comply with federal laws.  The committee was composed of 15 members: five whites, six blacks, and four persons of spanish language orgin.  It was appointed by the Court to review operations, such as the majority to minority pupil transfer rule, the transportation system selection of school sites, and other special assignments.  The committee was authorized to hold hearings and make recommendations to the board in connection with these activities.  The chairmanship rotated annually between the ethnic groups above described.  The board and the CTA submitted names to the court as nominees for the committee.  The committee played a large role in ensuring that schools followed all guidelines mandated by the courts.  They also communicated with community leaders and parents that had questions regarding the school changes.  The Bi-Racial/Tri Ethnic Committee operated out of Miami, Florida.  It worked with the Bureau of School Operations, Bureau of Personnel Management, Equal Educational Opportunity, Coral Reef Civic Association Inc.,  United States District Court Southern District of Florida and The National Conference of Christian Jews.  It also worked with many members of the Dade County School Board and various court systems.

Access Restrictions: There are no access restrictions on this material

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Rights/Use Restrictions: Finding Aid (c) 2010 The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation, Inc. All Rights Reserved.  Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the Director of The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation, Inc.  An image license agreement must be signed prior to recording or copying images.

Acquisition Notes: Dr. Fields received the collection from Dr. Foster while she was working for DCPS.

Related Materials: Education collection, William H. Turner papers